Winds reaching close to hurricane speeds forced organizers to cancel the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour in South Africa on March 11, 2017.

Riders were forced off their bikes and bystanders struggled to head for cover as the winds of up to 100 kmh (62 mph) threatened to whip out their feet from under them and snatch everything out of their hands.

It was the first time in the race’s history that it was cancelled. At least 35,000 riders had planned to participate in the event.